Tuesday 20 October 2009

Smoke Alarms - alarms, kidde


The tamper resistant feature is nice, if you have kids, but who reads the manual first?



I figured it to be "plug and play" but after I installed the battery and did NOT plug it into a wall outlet, the alarm went off like it was doomsday. First gut reaction was, it's detecting CO in the house!!!? Second gut reaction, too big of a coincidence. So I returned it and got a replacement. This time I put in the battery and luckily plugged it in before the two minute countdown. Unknown to me, as soon as you insert the backup battery you have 2 minutes to plug the unit in a wall outlet before the alarm goes off.



Late in the evening, after plugging it in, I wanted to put it in another room and all "heck" broke loose (85db) before I figured out that the little switch on the back had to be pressed before it would stop and NOT the big test button on the front. Another note I would like to point out... it sounds identical to a fire alarm. Personally, I wished it would have it's own unique sound so there would be no confusion whether it's a fire in the house or the Nighthawk detecting Carbon Monoxide. All in all, the detector seems solid although the test button is "funky." Consumer Research gave it very good ratings and the lil green light tells me it on - so I'm confident about this purchase.



Note: I'm good at hooking up home theater systems and calibrating HDTVs without referring back to the manual. So plugging in this CO detector turned into a lesson of humility for me. So please read the manual first. Kidde 900-0235 Nighthawk Carbon Monoxide Alarm, Long Life AC Powered with Battery Backup

As I replaced my smoke detectors I thought it would be wise to replace my co2 detectors as well. I found the 900-0235 to be a good value and easy to set-up. I have 3 plugged in and after 2 weeks and am pleased. Does not get any more dull than this which is exactly what I expect with a product like this.

I'm glad I read the reviews before purchasing. I knew to anticipate there was a countdown between when you put the battery in and when it starts blaring. I also knew you could disable the tamper feature, otherwise you can never unplug this (to move it to a different outlet) without it going off at an ear-piercing decibel level. I wore ear plugs while setting this up, just in case, but it never inadvertently went off on me. I also suggest wearing ear plugs when you test your unit. It's very loud, even with ear plugs in. I imagine it would hurt your ears if you weren't prepared.



I've had no problems with it over the last few weeks. It's great that this unit is supposed to last 7 years. My old one only lasted two years and it was about the same price.

This is a perfectly functional device. You only have 30 seconds to plug it into the wall after you put the battery in. A tid bit that we got from googling. It is working just fine now. Came fast too.

First of all, thanks to the previous reviewers! I got the detector today and I switched the tamper button, inserted the battery and plugged it in right away. I tested it out and does beep 4 (or 5 times?) properly. Everything seems fine, I just hope it lasts a good 7 years. We'll see. Great price and good product.

As of July 30, 2011 the State of California requires, at a minimum, a carbon dioxide detector in each and every residence. This one is great. It's unobtrusive and, when plugged into the outlet, still allows access to the other plug. I guess I'll know it works if and when it ever goes off. I'm glad I read the reviews first and knew to plug into the outlet as soon as possible after installing the battery. It was so much easier to shop online at Amazon to make this purchase rather than drive to stores perusing their limited selections.

I had no problem installing these at all. A lot of the reviews griped about how the alarm went off during the installation, they got false alarms, etc. I don't think they read the instructions. The instructions are very clear (even with photographs)! I guess the schools today are lacking in teaching people how to read. Time will tell how long the battery lasts. That's why I only gave it 4 stars in lieu of 5. But, a 9 volt battery beats AA batteries anytime. These do have a 7 year lifespan (on the unit) while the other one is 5 years (per the manufacturer's website).

I bought two of these for my home. Both came with good batteries and appear to be working; that is, a green light is on and I'm still conscious. I believe that means there's not enough CO to fret about.



Check out the other model (900-0234) if you want a digital readout telling you exactly how much CO is in the air. I considered that model, but decided the readout wasn't worth the price difference. Also, I don't think I would actually look at the detector unless an alarm was going off. At that point, it's time to get out regardless of the number on the readout. For me, this simple detector does everything I need it to do - sniff quietly in the background and beep loudly when I need to leave. - Alarms - Co Detector - Carbon Monoxide - Kidde'


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Accessory Kits - accessory kits, case


This case fits the LG Optimus S from Sprint perfectly. It has a very nice feel to it and definitely seems like it will keep the phone well protected. As mentioned by other reviewers, the openings for the charging and headphone ports could be wider. The standard wall charger included with the phone will have trouble squeezing in. However, other micro usb chargers with slimmer ends will fit fine. Same with the 3.5 headphone jack, some of the bulkier cables will have trouble fitting. Nonetheless, a great case for the price ($6.28 shipped)! LG Optimus S LS670 (Sprint) Silicone Skin Case, Black

For the amount of money I paid ($2.38 with shipping) I honestly could not be happier. The case fits very well, the key moldings line up and work perfectly. It's a perfect fit. Snug enough that it won't come off on it's own, but no so tight that it's difficult to get on and off.



I haven't had any problems with the headphone or charger ports like others have had. I've used three different chargers with this case, and all fit fine. Maybe the product was improved or we're using different chargers.



The silicone product is prone to collecting dust or lint from my pocket, but that's the nature of the material and not a design flaw. It's not really a hassle either.



This case is exactly what I was hoping for and for such a low price, I couldn't have asked for more.

First, the seller is AWESOME! I have bought a few things from AccessoryOne and have been delighted with their prices, delivery, and all!

This silicone case does the job of protecting the phone. however, the material of the case is what i have fault with. Since it is flexible, the sides seem to come up a bit when swiping your finger along the touch screen. It also sticks in my pocket and takes some work to get it out. this can be annoying, especially when seated and you phone is ringing at a time it shouldn't. The big flaw is that the charger won;t stay connected. i actually had to slip the cover off that end of the phone so it would charge. The silicone is flexible, so the plug will go in, but then will push the plug out after a few minutes. You will think your phone is charging, but it isn't.

I purchased the 'Hard Protector Skin Cover Cell Phone Case for LG Optimus S LS670 Sprint - BLACK' (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004E3087E). This case is just as good at protecting the phone, but solves any issues I mentioned above. It also, in my opinion, looks slightly better!

This is a great case for the Optimus V, even though you have to hack it a bit. The port opening on the bottom is not big enough to attach the standard USB charger, but 4 quick cuts with a sharp knife was all it took. The case otherwise fits great, and my phone now bounces like a superball when dropped (tested once: it fell from my shoulder onto concrete, then I accidentally kicked it). The case is a bit of a dirt and lint magnet, but I still like it a lot.

Pros: Maybe these other reviewers are getting a different product because the ports and button placement on this cause was outstanding for my Optimus V. The buttons are much easier to press now and there is ample room for the charger and headphone ports. The mic, speaker and camera holes are also perfect. The material is soft and not sticky at all and the price was great.



Cons: The only real con I can see is it is just slightly on the loose side. The phone isnt gonna fall out anytime soon but i would rather it be too tight than loose.



Overall a really great case for less than $4 shipped. Will definitely protect my phone from the daily falls to the pavement.

Purchased for an lg optimus v, had all the buttons marked where they should be(camera, voice prompt) fairly tight fit for a silicon skin. Been thru a 40mph fender bender and kept the phone in decent shape.

For the price you pay, this product is amazing! Bought it for my Virgin Mobile LG Optimus V. from The OEM Planet. It does everything a silicone case is supposed to! It is very durable and I imagine it can survive small to medium sized falls. The body of the case also isn't super grippy like you'd expect of a silicone case, so it won't give you too much trouble going in and out of your pockets. At the same time, it's got enough grip to it that it wouldn't slide off a table or arm rest if bumped. The cut outs are a bit small as others have mentioned, but with a little pressure, the charger easily sits in place and smaller head phone jacks will fit no problem. The case has molds on the top and right sides for the power, volume, speech, and camera buttons, which all line up perfectly. When in hand, it makes finding the buttons easier, and they all respond well. There is a cut out on the left side of the phone for the SD card which provides plenty of room for maneuvering without having to remove the case. Overall, this case is a steal! - Lg Optimus V - Accessory Kits - Skins - Case'


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Flash Accessories - flash accessories, flash diffuser


I am a full time working photographer primarily shooting event photography (no weddings), portraits, the arts, etc. I bought this on a whim for use on my Nikon SB-300. I do have a variety of diffusers, but this one really is excellent for a very even spread of light in darker situations when I don't want to drag out all the gear or if I am doing an outside portrait and need fill flash with out the obvious color problems encountered.



Excellent use indoors and is so lightweight, it does not get in they way at all. It is constructed as is per the price point, but is easy to store in a cam bag. Will probably order a couple more for backup.



Highly recommended. Performs as advertised. Opteka SB-5 Medium Universal Studio Soft Box Flash Diffuser for External Flash Units (8" X 6" Screen)

very simple made from plastic, it folds so its easy to carry, its not very stylish to have for a wedding but it does the job. you need to be very close to the subject to get the full light effect, if not then you only get the middle of your photo with light and the sides go dark.

I just recived this unit today, It is a little on the big size even for a med rating. I am glad I will also be reciving a flash bracket for use the soft box is so large it almost sit's ontop of the lens when pointed straight forward. I did use it real quick for a couple of shots for my dog bouncing the light off the celing and it loos so much better then when I was using nothing. I am looking forward to using it at a wedding I am shooting next week.

This is a product that serves your purpose, but do not buy it alone as the diffuser comes with stickers that have to be struck on the flash! This spoils the beauy of my flash and hence I also bought a band manufactured by the company. The product is not expensive and serves the purpose.

I find this soft box exceptional for the price! It is plastic, yes, but it is strong and firm. It does the job of behaving like a soft box, then after all job is done, fold it flat and put it into your pocket. It is as simple as that. I use it on my Speedlite 430EX for my canon camera as portable light when I am shooting outside of my studio. I find it extremely handy and helpful.

I'm using this to do close up on macro objects (bugs really) and it seems to work great! It folds up which is nice but when it's mounted on your flash it will not fully seal on the seams. It's not a big issue because I could use duck tape or blue painting tape (ghetto). Anyways, it gets the job done, but I may mod it up a little.

This diffuser is not the answer to every lighting question but which one is? It does a more than adequate job of helping remove hot spots on the subject and it spreads the light over the subject evenly. Can't ask anymore than that for ten bucks.

I use this on a Vivitar 285HV. The fit is a bit odd, because the Vivitar has a overly large flash head. On the unit, there are gaps between the panels of the soft box (top, sides, bottom). While this may be exaggerated on the Vivitar, I think it would be the same for other flashes-- it's the nature of a collapsible softbox. In action, it does soften the shadow edges, but the effect is fairly subtle, and ultimately dependent on distance to subject and the power setting of the flash unit. A small step in the right direction. Then again, it's cheap.

This opteka soft box is genius! if you shoot often with flash this is must have because it makes a big difference, the light looks more natural and you have less burnt exposures.

it is a great addition to your gear, only negative thing is that I believe it should be cheaper than 10bucks but after all it has free shipping if you purchase more than $25. so I got the small and medium sizes.

They work almost like my umbrella and I don't have to worry in windy days that my expansive canon flashes will fly away. perfect for stroboscopic works....

I took a chance on this item and it paid off!

You might want to consider buying the extra valcro straps they recommend as it's not easy to keep the diffuser facing straight ahead when mounted AND also because the straps supplied with it attached permanently on the flash and I'm not about to do that so I use elastic bands for now.



It evenly lights up a wide scene excellently with no harsh highlights, a great product for this price. - Soft Screen Diffuser - Diffuser - Flash Accessories - Flash Diffuser'


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Sweatpants - sweatpants


Take a look at these in a store before buying them, and be sure they are what you want. They are very sheer, and very lightweight fabric, not at all what I normally think of as "jersey" material (which is traditionally more robust than this). Had I known they were so flimsy, I wouldn't have purchased them. My mistake. Russell Athletic Men's Cotton Performance Elastic Bottom Jersey Pant, Navy, Large

I wear these pants 4 times a week to Kung Fu class. I give them quite a workout, and they still look and feel new. They are comfortable and just the right thickness for my liking. They are loose enough for me to have full movements and yet tight enough to not get in my way when twisting or jumping.

I like these type of pants because I have a very short inseam and with the ankle elastic (which is NOT constricting in any way) I don't have to worry about how long they'll be. I found the sizing to run large, so in the future I will order one size smaller. I previously bought Champion brand and they are a thicker material and seem a little more substancial. The Russell brand are of a thinner jersey knit which is better suited to summer wear. I wear this type of pant year around for the comfort. They are roomy, have side pockets and elastic at the waist and ankles, and look neat if you have to run an errand or go to the doctor's office.

The polyester athletic pants that I have tried were too hot for my use. The 100% cotton Russell athletic pants are just right. They give me a little warmth when I need something on my legs while exercising, but I do not become overheated.

I did not believe another reviewer who said that these sweat pants were made with really THIN fabric. I thought he must be mistaken - or just disgruntled somehow. But he was correct. The fabric these sweat pants are made from is VERY THIN - kind of like wearing dress slacks with an elastic waist. Who at Russel came up with this idea? Not the sort of sweat pants I've ever seen or worn before. Not comfortable. "Russell Athletic Men's Cotton Performance Elastic Bottom Jersey Pant" BUYER BEWARE!!!

These are not too "sheer" as one person put it. They are lightweight and very comfortable. They are advertised as mens but women can wear them too. I buy them because the elastic in the legs keeps you from walking on them which is a plus for short people like myself. :) Also, womens tend to not have pockets, so I buy mens (which almost always have pockets) instead. I also buy them for male relatives and they love them too. No downside to these. If you want something for winter, outdoor activities you may want to go with something a little thicker. Otherwise,these are perfect for just about everything. I especially love them for "around the house" wear. - Sweatpants'


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Rugged - rugged


Converted this into a mash tun to use in the brewing of beer. It's been used to hold boiling or hot water and has held up well. Slight warping from the heat but not very much. I find it loses around 3-5 degrees F for a one hour mash. It's a little on the small side but big enough. Water Cooler, 5-Gallon, Recessed Spigot, Crack Resistant, 12-1/2"x19", Orange RBH1685ORG

I purchased three Rubbermaid 5 gallon water coolers for use with our running group. We use them every weekend and haul them all over the place filled with water and/or sports drink. My only complaint is the lids will leak even if they are screwed down correctly and tight if they fall over. If you don't put the lids on right, they will also leak while hauling them about as the liquid splashes inside the container. The lids sometimes take a time or two to screw on correctly as the threads don't always line up correctly the first time. Insulation is ok, about what you'd expect from a cooler like this. All in all, very pleased with the product as it has held up well over the last year of being hauled all over the place. One last thought, make sure you unscrew the lid slightly when you're ready to use as it will sometimes create a vacuum which will keep the spigot from flowing.

We use these water coolers to provide water areas on the outside fields. They're easy to clean, and are sturdy enough to handle tons of day camp kids and staff. I've bought these for years, and will continue to do so if one breaks (Usually caused by someone knocking off the dispenser in front).

I simply love the fact that if this cooler gets dumped out of the truck or boat or off the porch, that nothing spills out. The screw-top lid is the most secure of all.



But the problem is with the spigot design. When the rubber "cover" gives out, you've got a leaker. What a bone-head design. I'm going to seal up the spigot hole as I don't use this cooler for water anymore. It was used for that for a couple of years, then became my camping/fishing/truck cooler. Now it is side-lined until I repair (permanently) the leak.



I'll buy Igloo the next time i want one of these type coolers-especially if I want to depend on it as a water cooler. But also note that I'm very hard on coolers.

Very durable construction. Just like I remember as a kid at soccer games this cooler will be for my kids to drink out of at their soccer games. The spout is so easy to operate my 5 year old can use it. Will probably buy some more of these for camping.

This is a very big water cooler that is handy to have around for gatherings and outdoor events. I fill it with ice tea for BBQ's in my backyard and have gotten a lot of good use out of it. Build quality is excellent and construction is sturdy. A grown adult can even sit on this with no problem. It's a nice, attractive bright orange color that's fun to look at and easy to spot. The side has a cup holder, but I never use it as it's clumsy to keep attached.



The spigot is easy to push and automatically shuts off when its released. It enables one-handed operation: use your fingers to grip the cup and your thumb to push the spigot, important when you're trying to juggle several things at once. The spigot does not leak or drip. Because the spigot is positioned low on the unit, you do have to place the cooler on the edge of a table or other raised surface so you can get a cup under it. Gravity draws liquid out.



I'm very satisfied with this cooler.

I bought this cooler at Wal-mart a day ago with the purpose of having my neighbor fill it with filtered ionized kangen water. To my dismay the spigot is poorly designed and slowly drips out. I walked into my kitchen for a glass of water and ended up with a big headache, water was all over the kitchen!!! Maybe I just got a defective product but judging from another reviewer with a similar problem it seems like a reoccuring problem. I will never buy another Coleman cooler again... - Rugged'


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Office Electronics - accurate, postal scale


Very simple, works great. There are only two options, one to change from lb to kg and one to tare the scale. The only downside is that once you put something on the scale, after a couple seconds it locks the reading so you can view it even after you take the item off the scale. This is helpful for large items that block the display, however for smaller items that you want to measure one right after the other, you have to wait a few seconds for the display to unlock and go back to zero. there is no button to unlock/reset the reading, you just have to sit and wait or turn the scale off and then back on. 75# Digital Postage Scale

I LOVE it!! Just the right size, good looking, blends well with my home office decor. Works well and is always within .1 oz of what the postal meter is at the Post Office. Use it every day. No complaints here!!

This weight machine is great for those looking to weigh packages to get accurate shipping costs. I haven't tested it's max load of 75 pounds, but I can tell you it's accurate down to the ounce. I believe it's +/- .2oz accurate and I haven't had any problems with the post office saying my weight is off. The only feature I kind of hate is the read lock feature. It displays the weight of the item that you just weight for a couple of seconds. Sometimes when you in a hurry and weighing multiple packages, this can be bother some to click a button to reset the weight again, but not a show stopper.



I got the item on sale, at about $30, so it was a great bargain. Don't know if I would pay the full $82 for it though. It's nice, but for that price it better tape up my boxes too!

works as advertised. Accurate weights, weight is right with what the post office scale says. Weigh your packages and know how much postage before you take it to the post office. I especially like being able to weigh an over-size package, remove it from the scale and still have time to read the weight before the display clears. Good bargain for the money.

I was excited when it arrived. Finally I don't have to use a body weight scale to weigh all my shipment.However, after I tried it to weigh the same thing for several times, I was disappointed. One time ,I get 10.4, 10.2, and 9.8oz!

This is a great little postal scale! Comes ready-to-go with battery and AC Adaptor - right out of the box. Great Value. Very Accurate and easy to use. Incredibly weighs from .2 ounces to 75 lbs. If you need accurate weights for postage, or UPS or Fedex shipping - and you want it for a great price - then you will love this scale. I rate this product 5 Stars!

I am shipping packages weekly. Since I printed the label on USPS website,

I need a postal scale at home. This one is rather inexpensive.

When it first arrived, I tested it using the battery power, and

it did not work properly. It may due to the level of power in the

battery. Then I tried the plug-in power supply and it worked fine.

After I printed the label and took the package to the post office,

it did happen once that the weight measured by the scale is less than

that in the post office. But other times were OK.

I think that it is a good purchase if you do not use it a lot,

since the price is right.

I bought this for a friend who sells online. She and her husband sell large and small items, and needed a scale that could weigh a fair amount. I liked this because it has a hold feature, where she can weigh large boxes, take them off, and the weight stays displayed for a while. I have a smaller version of this scale, and I'm happy with the quality of it. I used it to check out the calibration of this scale by weighing items on both, and it was right on.

Just received this product.



2 disappointments right out of the box.

1- the LIFETIME Warrantee is really just one year. Exact wording: "This product is hereby guaranteed against defective materials and/or manufacturing faults for LIFETIME. Weighmax will repair or replace products ONE YEAR from the date of your purchase without additional charges. We will only charge you the cost to repair or replace your products after the first year." LIFETIME warranty? You decide.

2 - you have to calibrate it using a 75 lb weight.



does seem to be consistant at being off the .2 oz it says is the variance. not once has it been right on even with the 75 lb weight right after calibration. - Postal Scale - Digital Scale Tare Accurate - Accurate - Shipping Scale'


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Arts And Crafts - grinding, carving


I am very pleased with this product. One of the things I was told is that the cutting wheels are brittle, and if you put alot of pressure then they will break. But as the directions say, not alot of pressure is needed. It goes a little bit slower, but for me, I use it to cut sink tubes for a hobby of mine, and slow is better in the long run. 80 Pc. Rotary Tool Set

This tool is wonderful for all my crafting needs. It is small, portable and easy to use. I used to use my husband's bulky Dremel tool and it was such a pain. This tool fits my smaller hand perfectly and has all the power I need.

This is pretty much a do it yourself - self-explanatory little rotary tool. I had it up & running within the first 15 minutes. For the price you really can't beat it. For my needs it is excellent. Sincerely, JAMES.

I was surprised at how small this thing is! I was expecting the regular sized rotary tool.. this thing is smaller then a writing Pen. (Will post an image giving you scale)

I went to work with it.. using the cut-off wheel on some thin fiberglass and then trimming down some screws. It does the job, but don't expect too much horsepower from this little thing. It easily gets bogged down if you put too much pressure on it. But like I said... it does do it's job.



Plenty of bits and adapters to do just about any job. One more annoying thing about changing out a bit. Normally you would just loosen the collar, pop out the bit and stick in a different one. Not the case... you will also need to change the little piece that holds the shaft of the bit too. Quite annoying when you need to change tasks and you have to hunt down a little piece of metal... then verify it's the correct one (there are 4 different sizes) for the bit that you want to use.



I would rate this higher if it would have came with a case. I can just see these little parts growing legs and walking away. Heck.. you loose one of those little collars.. you're S.O.L. You can't use a quarter of the bits anymore.



Oh.. I almost forgot. The shipping... Horrible!!! It came in a PAPER envelope!!! I pulled the "package" from my mailbox to find weird tares and holes and what looked like a electrical plug prongs sticking out of the "package"!!. Upon opening the envelope I found out that the AC adapter plug prongs were indeed poking through the envelope.



Four Stars... ONLY because by miracle it arrived working it does do the job. - Grinding - Carving - Arts And Crafts - Rotary'


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